Go digital – you’ll be glad you did

Soon-to-be-five Kevin hears his phonics lesson pronounced with the help of the new Macmillan CD-ROM dictionary (open on the top right of the computer screen). Hint to the developers: He would really REALLY like to hear his name. Why not include a list of common names in the next edition?

I must admit that I almost never use a dictionary anymore – in the book form that is. Instead, I have become addicted the new CD-ROM advanced learners’ dictionaries that I have installed on my office and home computers. All of the major publishers have them and they include everything contained in the book version plus much more.

Macmillan English Dictionary

Here is the ultimate dictionary for those of us who hate having to turn pages to find a word. Just move the cursor over a word in your word processing programme or your Internet browser and it will look up the word for you – instantaneously. It will automatically pronounce the word for you too if you set up that option. The default is British, but the American pronunciation is just a click away.

Choose between the quick view – a small box with just the definition – or the full view with additional information including related words. Make sure you look through the menu at the top to discover all the options. The study guide (under the view menu) is excellent and you will be amazed at all there is on offer.

This is an edited version of a review first published by the Bangkok Post